I saw a production of “Rent” this past weekend. The theatre department at my school put it on. WOW, do we have some talent here! They sounded amazing together. I came close to crying many times throughout the show. For those of you who haven’t seen it, Rent is rock musical about a group of friends, most of whom are dying of HIV AIDS. It follows a year in their life, chronicling their journey with each other and the disease. Like most modern musicals, it makes you think and reflect. I watched as one girl pole danced, another started a lesbian relationships, a third watched his gay partner die. I just wanted to run up on stage, hold each one in my arms and ask “WHY? Why are you doing this to yourselves? Go back home! Go to college! You can have a wonderful, prosperous life. You don’t need to be rebellious!”

How tragic that this is very prevalent in American society. We’ve told people that truth does not exist and whatever feels right to them is the correct path. We’ve led them straight to their deaths; we should feel intense shame. Every time you treat someone’s sexual struggle with anything less than empathy and sincere love, you have helped push them down a path you don’t want them to go. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m a firm believer in personal responsibility. People need to own up to the responsibilities of their actions. But that includes us. I’m sick of people pointing a finger at gay communities while failing to examine their own hearts.

If you have ever prayed for God to break your heart with the things that break His, you should not allow your heart to feel disdain and anger at people who are hurting. Even if it is of their own doing. The prodigal son received censure only from his brother. His father’s arms were held open for the day when the prodigal would return.